Deficit Water Volume in Hnilec River in Slovakia

In this study, water deficit volumes were determined in the Hnilec River catchment in selected hydrological stations in the period 1961-2020, divided into three twenty-year periods (1961-1980, 1981-2000 and 2001-2020). From the perspective of climate change and its impact on water management and use, it is very important to determine the volume of the water deficit in the Hnilec River catchment. The study used parameters characterizing water scarcity (deficit), i.e. the volume of water deficit, as well as the duration of water deficit during the year. The assessed deficit volumes for the 3 analyzed hydrological stations lasted on average 60-75 days a year in the period 1961-2020. The volumes that were missing in a given period in the assessed stations constituted about 5% of the surplus volumes. The largest water deficit was recorded at all hydrological stations in the period 1981-2000.